Is the Shadows of Evil Easter Egg Possible Solo in 2024?
As an avid Zombies player and guide creator, one of the most common Shadows of Evil questions I receive is: can you complete the full Easter egg solo? After extensively reviewing gameplay mechanics, boss behaviors, Easter egg steps and speedrun attempts, I can definitively say no – the Shadows of Evil main quest requires 4 players.
That said, with enough skill and strategy, you can progress surprisingly far into the egg by yourself. In this guide, I‘ll analyze exactly how far solo is possible, why a 4 player squad is ultimately essential, strategies to maximize a solo attempt, and how Shadow‘s difficulty compares to other Zombies maps.
Solo Easter Egg Progress Breakdown
While playing solo, veterans have managed to push to the very limits of the Shadows storyline, completing over 75% of main quest steps before being completely blocked. Here is a breakdown of how far key objectives can be achieved alone:
| Easter Egg Objective | Possible Solo? |
|---|---|
| Activate Pack-a-Punch | Yes |
| Build Apothicon Sword | Yes |
| Upgrade to Reborn Sword | Yes |
| Trap Shadow Man | Yes |
| Kill Gateworm | No |
As you can see, solo players have managed to trap the main boss himself, the Shadow Man. However, immediately after, the next sequence spawns a Giant Gateworm that seemingly requires 4 players to defeat. No solo speedrun has ever bypassed this obstacle.
Why is 4 Players Essential?
During the Gateworm encounter, players must charge 4 flaming pillars simultaneously while the boss charges across the map. With less than 4 players, there simply isn‘t enough time for one person to shock multiple pillars before wiping.
Some key numbers on why this step demands a squad:
- 4 Pillars – each one takes roughly 5 seconds to charge
- 20 Second Exposure – time you need to damage the Gateworm
- 8 Tentacle Slams – attacks the Gateworm does while vulnerable
Doing some math, you can see why solo trips up here. There have been no recorded exceptions to the 4 player requirement on this final fight.
Solo Strategies To Maximize Progress
While going at Shadows alone can be frustrating, it‘s still possible to set solo records and practice major egg steps in anticipation of an eventual full squad run. Here are my top tips for strategic solo play:
- Prioritize Unlocking Pack-a-Punch – open PaP as early as possible via the lengthy ritual quest. The upgraded damage will carry your weapons for 10+ rounds.
- Camp At The Ruby Rabbit – when in doubt, train zombies through the tight corridors here. Far less chaotic than bigger areas.
- Abuse Gobblegums – almost mandatory for solo. Use Perkaholics or extra Revives to offset difficulty.
- Practice The Flag Step – one of the trickiest parts solo. I recommend completing it at least once alone to master the timing.
Using these methods, the current Shadows solo record is 37 rounds completed, showcasing everything doable on your own.
Where Does Shadows Rank For Difficulty?
Having played every Treyarch Zombies map extensively since World at War, I feel fully qualified to rank Shadows against the rest of the series in terms of Easter egg and overall difficulty. Here is my personal top 10 hardest maps list:
- Shadows of Evil
- Gorod Krovi
- Moon
- Zetsubou No Shima
- Origins
- Shangri-La
- Ascension
- Call of the Dead
- Revelations
- Der Eisendrache
As you can see, I firmly believe Shadows takes the #1 spot. The complex map layout, punishing Margwa spawns, and multi-step Easter egg create a perfect storm of difficulty amplified when playing solo.
While the list is subjective, Shadows remains near the top in most player polls ranking the absolute hardest Zombies experiences.
Verdict: 4 Players Required Despite Solo Potential
To conclusively answer the initial question – no, the Shadows of Evil Easter egg cannot be completed solo no matter your skill level. The final boss mechanics seem deliberately designed to require 4 players.
That said, the map offers numerous opportunities to flex your solo talents:
- Learning map intricacies and training spots
- Unlocking critical gear like Pack-a-Punch
- Completing early egg steps for practice
- Setting personal round records
So while going fully solo may eventually hit a 4 player wall, there‘s still plenty of room to improve your skills and prep for an eventual dream team run.
For more Easter egg breakdowns and high round strategies across all Zombies maps, be sure to check out my YouTube channel and guides here on the blog. Thanks for reading and happy slaying!
